Brisbane played too safe in the final quarter of its heartbreaking loss to Fremantle on Sunday, a trait vice-captain Harris Andrews expects the young Lions to learn from.
After kicking the first three behinds of the last term – a period Andrews says they could have put the game away in – Brisbane withstood an avalanche of possession from Fremantle before Michael Walters' after-the-siren kick that got the Dockers home by a point.
The Lions reviewed the match in Perth on Monday before flying back to Brisbane to prepare for a Saturday night clash with Hawthorn at the Gabba.
"It was very frustrating to have control of the game for so long and to lose," Andrews said.
"We probably felt like we played a little safe.
"We couldn't get the ball in our hands, but we felt like we probably didn't move the ball as well as we could have.
Harris Andrews lead from the back during yesterdays match, finishing with 9 intercept marks and 7 contested posessions pic.twitter.com/7g5XYO6PH5
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) May 27, 2019
"We'll learn from it."
Andrews said the Lions played "for the result" in the final moments and needed to stick to the process that got them the lead in the first place.
Although disappointed, he said the loss had immediately steeled the 6-4 Lions to take on Alastair Clarkson's men.
Brisbane won both contests last season – by 56 and 33 points – but it counted for little according to the in-form fullback.
"There were definitely boys on Sunday night after the game that couldn't wait to get out against Hawthorn," Andrews said.
"Our ability to learn from it is going to be important.
"Last year's form doesn't matter at all.
"We were able to beat Freo last year over there but obviously they got us on the weekend.
"They've been playing some really good footy lately. They beat GWS at the MCG a couple of weeks ago and then Port Adelaide on the weekend.
"They're great in defence and calculated in their attack."